As part of its tour of Britain, the Railway 200 train is to visit Corfe Castle station in Dorset to celebrate 200 years since the first passenger train journey.
The train called Inspiration is due to sit in the sidings at Corfe Castle from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th February 2026, and on board will be a special exhibition, looking at the history and future of rail travel.
Plenty to see on board the ‘Inspiration’
Family-friendly exhibition
The family-friendly exhibition, which coincides with the February half term school holidays, will be open 10 am to 4 pm daily and is free to visit for anyone with a valid Swanage Railway train ticket.
Operated by Network Rail and co-curated with the National Railway Museum, the exhibition details how railways have transformed the way we live, as well as offering hands-on engineering challenges, and a summary of interesting – and lesser known – careers on the railways.
The arrival of the Railway 200 train comes in the month the Swanage Railway celebrates its 50th anniversary since volunteers started work to restore Swanage station on Saturday 14th February 1976.
The public is being encouraged to avoid driving to the Railway 200 exhibition train at Corfe Castle, as there is no car parking at the station and parking elsewhere in the village is limited.
As an alternative to the car, a 1950s heritage diesel railbus service will operate from Norden station – next to Dorset Council’s Purbeck Park long stay car park – to Corfe Castle, while a heritage steam train service will travel between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston, and Swanage.
The Railway 200 train will be at Corfe Castle station for three days
“Learn about the past, present and future of the railway”
Welcoming the arrival of the Railway 200 exhibition, Swanage Railway chief executive officer Abbie King said:
“Railways have played such an important role in shaping communities and connecting people. This exhibition brings that story to life in a way that’s fun and accessible for all ages.
“It’s a real privilege for the Swanage Railway to host something so special and historic, celebrating our rich heritage and the exciting future for rail travel.
“A free and fascinating way to learn about the past, present and future of the railway, there will be something of interest for everyone – whether you are a railway enthusiast or just curious about an important British innovation that changed the world.
“We look forward to the Railway 200 exhibition train inspiring Swanage Railway visitors of all ages.”
The Inspiration at Paddington station in West London
Around 50,000 visitors so far
The ‘Inspiration’ train kicked off the national Railway 200 celebrations during 2025, which marked two centuries since the first passenger train – hauled by George and Robert Stephenson’s ‘Locomotion No. 1’ steam engine – ran on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, in County Durham, on Tuesday 27th September 1825.
That historic journey changed the world in many ways, leading to standardised time, revolutionising leisure and business travel, and enabling the growth of the economy, mass tourism and sports leagues.
So far, during its 60 stop year-long tour of Great Britain, the Railway 200 exhibition train has welcomed around 50,000 visitors.
Composed of five former British Rail Mark Three-type carriages built in Derby during the 1970s and 1980s, the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ train has been funded by Network Rail and a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The train’s colourful ‘Past, Present and Future Together’ livery has been funded by the train leasing company Porterbrook.
The train has also toured around Scotland
Further information
- More about the Railway 200 visit to Swanage Railway
